Working on loosening up....

The title of this piece is, "I See You", and I am working on painting intuitively and going crazy.  It is all in hopes of getting looser and out of my lines.  Several people have gasped when I told them I thought I needed to loosen up but I really do.  I love shapes and kind of want to stay in the lines. However, that is really not a good thing....so here is to letting things fly--

We are Spirit....

This is my newest piece and it is titled, "We Are Spirit".  The blue/turquoise orbs are my symbol for our spirit, life force, soul, or core, and are my constant reminder to revere our being and our temporary walks upon this planet.  The floating bars are portals and represent the path we take by making choices and decisions.  This is part of the series I have been working on called- "The Village".
 

You can see from the group picture that 'The Village' is a happy, mystical place.
Hopefully, these paintings make you smile and want to make you visit.

The imagination is a powerful place......

Doing some smalls....

Doing a couple of smalls (9x12, 8x10) before I start a large piece.  Smalls are fun because they are pure play...This particular one has the most beautiful colors in it.  Hard to tell from a photo but it is really rich looking....Scrumptious...

Back to work.....oh, this is titled, "Geisha in the Garden"

Hmmmmm....

Not sure why I have a fascination with smoke stacks at the moment. But apparently, I am in the the process of a smokestack series.   My concern is that they are not current or a reflection of our times. Perhaps, in  the unfolding of the series, it will begin to relate with today.  Every current thing I think of is filled with anger, crisis, and conflict.  That, in my opinion, is not a good thing.....

 My main objective is just to keep painting and hopefully, by they time I have painted a thousand, I will be a master....and left my voice.

On to my next canvas and trying to figure out what to paint that connects to our time.

No title yet....

New piece which  I am really liking!  Haven't signed yet because may still do a couple of tweaks.  Working very hard to loosen up and I am getting there....No title yet but will think of something...enjoy and follow your passion-smiley face...

So......

So....I am taking this online class and I have promised myself that I will do as instructed.  Which, I might add, is not always easy for me.  This last challenge was to 'deconstruct and construct' within your piece.  Basically that meant that I need (as a painter) to paint, over paint in sections, texturize, and let things happen.  These are my first two attempts.  I have to admit that I am learning some new techniques and approaches.  My work was beginning to be too illustrative and I really want to get away from that, as much as I loved the pure color, etc.  So this is a start down a new road and we shall see....as long as I am learning, growing, and stretching....I am ahead of the game....I think!!!! DO NOT TELL ME DIFFERENT!!!!! or I will be sad...di

This week's challenge.....

In the online class I am taking, the weekly challenge was (1)contrast and (2)doing something outside of your norm.  I am one who loves color so I decided to do a basically monochromatic painting with empty space.  'Empty space,' being somewhat of a foreign concept for me.  This piece is called "The Enlightened One".  And I have to admit that I do like it.

Calling the Inner Child...

This was suppose to be a weekly drawing for a class that I am taking.  But the theme and a bigger canvas decided differently.  The class's theme for the week was, ' letting out your inner child when you are being creative'  (and the rest of the time is good too as per my opinion)...and instantly I had an image of the herald calling out our inner children.

My 'blue orb' that I use so much is the spirit-the heart of us all.  My children are calling for their creative spirit to fly and be honored.

Have a few tweaks and it will be considered done. It was a fun one to do.

Online class started....

 So...signed up on the internet for a year long class!  That means that I will be painting and sketching pretty regular for 365 days.  Really enjoying the stimulation and interchange with the 59 other participants.  The focus on the class so far has been 'our marks' and connecting with our own creativity/voice.  I have no theme or set goal for this work so it is very freeing to just fly with what images that come to mind.   The sketchbook is the most fun part because the drawings are one day affairs.  Life is good...however, I think/know I have a big black skink in my studio!  Hoping it will starve..or escape.

Have been visiting Middle Earth lately....

So...a neighbor's son asked me if I would do a game board for  him and his friends.  Of course, I said yes.  Two days later he arrives at my doorstep with a 4'x4' piece of plywood!  Oh my.  He and his friends have been busy building a life size hobbit house this summer and have created a board game.  How cool is that????

I have been having a blast doing this project and it takes me 'out of my box', which is a very good thing.
This is not done yet, but I am working my way to the top.  The right hand corner will have a dragon curled around the perimeter of the board.

This and wonderful visitors have keep me rather busy for the last 3 weeks.  Hope to finish this in the next 5-6 days.  Then onward to other projects.....

"The Gossips" is done!!

It has been a while since I started this but at last I am done.  Life got in the way but now I am back!

This piece is called "The Gossips", and as you can see they are two faced.  They run about town with enhanced ears to catch whatever gems of info that are floating in the air.  They have hands that can attach to corners, buildings, or crevices so that they can remain hidden while on the job.  Of course, the job does not entail getting their information truthful and correct.

My village and its' characters, is basically a very happy and uplifting town but you can not escape the inevitable word mongers.  How would a town function without the gossips?  ....Run for your lives.....they live....

Design Wall...this week

Working on three projects currently, albeit at a non rushed pace.  For my personal quilt for the year, I am doing 100 6" blocks.  I am working with a project in which two blocks are revealed a week, so the quilt will literally take a year.  My interpretation of the blocks is not always literal...so I just do not post them on the FB site...do not want to upset the masses!

The second project is a 20" square to be entered in an exhibition.  That will be all I can say about that one at the moment.  Other than I can only use solid fabrics which is insane!

Third project is doing a variation of a block presented to me every week.  We shall see how this goes as there is a good probability that my blocks may not be what they are expecting.  Such is the life of an independent thinker.  Crazy is never understood.....

What have I been doing????

NOT MUCH....well, maybe a few things....

I am approaching my life with a new perspective.  Most of my life I have felt the need to achieve. I kept pretty focused and more than likely had a somewhat flexible, but never the less,  plan.  Shortly, I will turn 65 and I figure that is pretty grown up.  NO MORE PLANS!!  My new mantra is, "What do I feel like doing today? And that is exactly what I do.  I still have an innate need to finish what I start but I am giving my 'self' that- "Jimmy Buffet Latitude", and regressing into my flowerchild.

Having said all that (sounded good anyway),....this month, I did a set of prints for the Sketchbook Library Exchange in which I will donate one print to the library and trade the others with ten other artist from around the world.  How fun is that!  The other project I am working on is a 'sew along' with OVER 18,000 quilters around the world.  Every week we are presented with two 6" blocks to make and at the end of 12 months we will have 100 blocks created by different designers with which to make a quilt.  I am planning on making two 50+ block quilts and this is my social, traditional, project for the year.  The quilting event is called, "The Splendid Sampler" project and is open to anyone who wants to participate.

So, I have had a month with NO PLANS, but I am getting the urge to make a major type piece....hmmmm......what am I thinking????

Collaborating....

Been super busy this month and kind of taking a break from ANYTHING THAT HAS A DEADLINE!! Here is a peek at a project that a friend and I are collaborating on this spring. Fellow artist,  Geri Forkner, works primarily in felting fiber (among other things) and I work primarily with woven cloth.  We are trying to put the two processes together  into a vessel form, which we are finding is not always an easy task.  This is our first piece, which we both are very pleased with.  Now our second piece that we are currently working on is talking back!  We are trying different construction techniques, and pushing ourselves to see where we can go.  We are also learning what the limits are in each others manipulation techniques.
This is our first sculpture-

It is good that we are both mature because combining two visions is both the good and the bad of the process.  Geri continually surprises me with what she comes up with and that is what makes the journey fun.

ETSY store opened.....

Took me FOREVER...but I finally opened my ETSY store...Please check it out.  www.difergi.etsy.com

Having Fun!

Finished large painting 24"x36", not actually that large, but done anyway.  Am liking it at the moment (smile).  Have to glaze,  frame, and then it is set to go!   Where I do not know (sad face).  Now, a little break and  I am going to do some miniature paintings (see below), 2x3 and 4x6 inches.  I think it will be fun.  Also have a couple fabric projects I need to finish up.

Life is good.....may your days be blessed....di

finished!

So here are some of the 'girls' I have included in my recent paintings.  I am wanting to start a more stylized female face but have not come up with one I am entirely happy with, it just takes time and an 'eureka!' moment.  The moment will happen and is evolving.  When you start to change the human face it can get a bit scary and that is not what my work is about.  The framed piece on the right (via computer magic) is 16"x  20".  I was watching part of an old (1950ish) pirate movie today and  I can see I have been heavily influenced by my youth.  LOL..oh well

Over Achiever Syndrome....

So, this is how it begins! New piece and I am blocking in my shapes. Before I start with the paint, I draw out a very rough sketch in my sketch book for compositional purposes. Does the painting always reflect my primary sketch? The answer is, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Usually, I do not show a piece at this stage because it can change drastically and I suspect this one will be much different when finished. I always have a thought I am trying to express when I do a painting and that I stay true to but the images sometimes have a mind of their own! I also (almost always), have some technical goals in mind. I feel that my colors have been too bright and pure in the previous canvases and my goal this time is to keep the color softer and muted. I hesitate to share that with you as I may fail in epic proportions in this endeavor. NOW, you are wondering 'why', am I doing an epic narration. The answer to that question is that in my '101, Succeeding as an Artist', research, the experts suggest that I share my process.....I am such a good student ie 'over achiever' So I am sharing.....learned to share in kindergarten! Well, sorta....

Angst.....

What am I thinking????  I have no idea, just putting together images that interest me.  Where is the sophistication, the subtlety, the fineness of the art?  I give up.  But... on the other hand,  the images do have a personality of their own and a certain joy/wonder.  Going down a blind path and just wondering where it all leads.  The angst of creation, love/hate...and now you have a glimpse into my mind.  Maybe I should paint still lifes......NAH

Done!

This piece is about honoring life, our God given spirit. And taking time to be grateful for this walk on this planet.  What better time than the holidays to 'rejoice and be glad'?

Everyday, I find joy in all that I do and my work is an expression of that.  Oh my, I am getting too serious and philosophical and I haven't even had too much eggnog!

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and live in the 'knowing'.  D

Moments in the Studio!

Time in the studio is hard to find when dealing with the holiday season!  I now have a two week period that I can steal some time here and there to work in my art space.  Just finished this small painting (8x10) and have a larger piece blocked in and ready to develop.  I miss daily time creating but I try to remember to live in the moment and enjoy all that is going on with my family and friends.  Life is a gift and every day a blessing.

Great News!!

This art quilt I named "Boogie Nights" made it's debut at the International Quilt Show in Houston in October.  It was a part of SAQA's exhibit, Wild Fabrications.  It is always an honor to be in a SAQA show AND it sold on the opening day!

I love the piece and part of me hates to see it go, but I love my work finding homes.  The new owner will not even take possession of the piece until it finishes traveling with the exhibit.

An apology for not posting lately, Just finished doing two big shows, an open studio tour, and heading deep into the holiday season.

Next year be looking for me to open an ETSY shop, so that those of you who have inquired about purchasing some of my art work will be able to do so very easily.

Have a glorious holiday season, filled with family and friends.
Love to all......Diana

Studio Tour....Check, Ready!

Tomorrow is a studio tour for the Gallery downtown and I am ready.  Life is busy and getting busier!  The tour will be wonderful, because times are few when you can talk about your work.  Yes, it is all about me, me, me, tomorrow ( and of course, the seven other artists on the tour :-(  ). And then I head to Asheville, NC, for a four day show and have to talk about me, me, me, AGAIN.  That will be enough 'ME' for the whole year!

Wish me luck....I have no studio time and that is not a good thing!  I get a little grouchy.......

Two shows this fall so to back to work I go!

It is not really 'work' when I am creating stuff but every once in a while deadlines loom and I have to get my act together.  So....I sew!..... and finish up stuff.  I try not to think about the holiday season that is on the horizon....oh my..  Good thing I do not stress easily  :-)

My little world.....

I am starting a series of paintings that I am going to refer to as my 'village' paintings.  They will be full of imaginary characters, mystery, and magic.  If you ask me to explain them, I won't.  The narrative is up to you.  However, I will give you titles, so that is really  kind of a hint to my brain.  This piece is called, "the gift," and you will see repetition of many objects in this painting in the upcoming paintings.

I am energized and enjoying this whole process.  I  randomly sketched for about 2 months before I decided what the new paintings would be about.   Some of those sketches are posted on my  facebook's page, Difergi's.

Hope you enjoy these as I post them and that your narrative is happy and full of joy.  This piece is 24x36" and painted with acrylic paint.

Back from Vacation and trying to get in the grove again!

I am at a stumbling place.  A place where I have two loves pulling against each other.  Painting and textiles are both passions of mine.  For the last 10 years I have focused on textiles and for 26+  years before that I painted.  (I think that means I am old when you add that up!!, but that is a trauma for another day....).
I am having a strong urge to return to my painting roots and have been doing a lot of drawing lately. I feel VERY guilty about wanting to leave the textiles because of the time I have invested in developing my work and following.  So.... for right now I am keeping fingers in both mediums which will not work for very long.  Time will tell!  I have two textile shows coming up, therefore, I stitch until at least December.  Here are some of the drawings I have been working on.  Today, I am going to open up the paint jars and start a sizable painting.  Change, the one certainty in life....

That time of the year again!

Will be seeing my granddaughters soon and of course that means making some dresses!  They have really grown.  Apparently, where they live 'long' skirts are the best.  It is a slight detour in my daily routine but time well spent.  I just pray that the clothes fit.  If not we can adjust.......Can't wait for their hugs..... (of course I made them some silk 'gypsy skirts'....now if I could only find them some kid size bangles :-))

Sketchbook fun....

I have so much fun doing these that I just want to share!...Husband says, "Why are you doing these in a sketchbook?".  I am just exploring. For me when I work in my sketch book I just can't take myself too seriously....it is just pure creation and fun...If you have never tried this type of play--  try it, you will like it :-)

Work goes on, in spite of the beautiful weather.....

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and it is just a beautiful day in east Tennessee.  Later this afternoon I plan to enjoy the weather on our porch.  I might even cut the grass in the back yard!

But until then, I am working on smalls that will be matted and wrapped for sale.  I try to have levels of price points for my work so that everyone can afford something.  I realize that artwork is a luxury....and not everyone can have Picasso hanging on their walls.  My personal art collection has been developed over many years and I did a lot of trading with artists who I admired their work. I find it to be pure joy to be surrounded by the work and spirit of many talented creators.

On my docket next week is to get back to the big quilt I am working on, and I really need to open an ETSY shop.  I am only sharing this in hopes that it will get me moving in the right direction.  Sooo...stop and smell the roses and if they haven't bloomed yet, smell the irises...Have a blessed day....di

(The four pieces on the wall are in line for quilting next)

New page in the sketchbook...

enjoy!! And Happy Easter...

Oceans and more....

Next large piece started and can you tell it has part of an ocean in it?  Blues are so pretty.  This is just the background for everything else to go on top.  The quilt  is not due until October so I am well ahead of schedule.  The theme for the exhibit is 'Diaspora", and for some reason that really spoke to me (okay, I admit I had to look it up!).  So here we go-I always find themes that I want to express visually so if it is not accepted, I never regret the journey.

starting new smalls....so fun!

Life is simple when one gets excited by color.  Take me to a museum, paint store, whatever, and if it is full of glorious hues, I am in heaven.  Just started to intensify some smalls with inks and the colors are fabulous... it is a.good day and yes I am easy

Quilt accepted into PAQA show

My quilt, "Life's Brew," has been accepted into the PAQA show "Reminisce" which will be opening on April 22 at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center in Cary, North Carolina. The show runs until June 22.   Hope to see you there!

Exercising the Brain Matter....

Am taking a month long drawing class online with Susan Shie.  The first big assignment is to draw your closet with a surprise in it.  Having literally not drawn anything other than quick sketches for compositions of quilts in the last 12 years this is a challenge.  I love to draw, just do not make time for it anymore.  So here is my closet on the way (it is due Monday!).....one misconception about drawing is that it is always a quick procedure but let me assure you that colored pencils are sloooow....

View outside of my studio window.....

What a beautiful and peaceful day to work in my studio....the earth blanketed in white, no footprints, and silence....

Finished up a piece for the SacredThreads show.  Have to get professional pictures made and then I am ready to enter it.  I usually will not show a piece until it is accepted (or not), but I decided to go ahead and post this.  It's title is 'The Clarion Call', and it is about how we are called to praise, give thanks, and lift our hearts up in joy.  Those of you who have know me for awhile will see the connection to the paintings I use to do.  I have been feeling the need to connect back to my core.